Week in Review: Vandals Strike Again, Village Nets Water Cleanup Grant

Frank Melville Memorial Park Vandalized

More vandalism at Frank Melville Memorial Park was reported Friday morning, making it the third time in the past several weeks that the historic park was vandalized. According to a police report, the graffiti was sprawled on the bridge at Old Field Road and Main Street sometime between 9 p.m. on Sept. 20 and 9 a.m. on Sept. 21. Previously, more extensive damage was found Sept. 8 at the park's north bridge and the Mill House. Damage was also discovered on signs and benches at a separate park managed by the Three Village Garden Club.

Anti-Semitic Graffiti Found in Stony Brook

Suffolk County police are searching for the person responsible for anti-Semitic graffiti along with other vandalism found at the park on Coed Lane in Stony Brook. A police spokesperson said Wednesday that the graffiti was found on Monday at 6:42 p.m. The incident has been classified as fourth-degree criminal mischief as a hate crime. The police department's hate crimes unit is investigating.

Simons is Nation's Top Democratic Super PAC Supporter

East Setauket resident James Simons, Long Island's richest resident, founder of hedge fund firm Renaissance Technologies and a former Stony Brook University math professor, is also the nation's highest donor to Democratic super PACs this election cycle, according to a Newsday report. Citing OpenSecrets.org, the report notes Simons has donated $4 million to four different groups, most recently an Aug. 8 donation of $2 million to Priorities USA.

Old Field Nets Grant to Treat Polluted Water

Stormwater runoff contaminated by fertilizers, pet waste, and other chemicals will soon have less of an impact on the health of Conscience Bay thanks to a treatment plan supported by the Long Island Sound Futures Fund. The Environmental Protection Agency and Long Island Sound Study on Monday announced the Village of Old Field will receive a $200,000 grant for its "Conscience Bay Stormwater Treatment and Wetland Enhancement" project. The project is one of 15 in New York being supported with $913,202 in funding in 2012 by the Long Island Sound Futures Fund. The Village of Old Field was among the largest grant winners; the total project cost is estimated at $474,000.

Princeton Mayor: School-and-Community Collaboration is a Must

As the discussion continues over whether Three Village is a college town, Patch had the chance to interview Princeton township mayor Chad Goerner on what it takes to turn a town with a college into a "college town." His answer: earnest, professional collaboration will make both town and gown thrive.

Seawolves Favored to Win America East Conference

In a college hoops division that could have its competition level highly affected this upcoming season with a loss of numerous high-talent transfers, one Yahoo! Sports writer has picked the Stony Brook University Seawolves to win the America East. Beyond that, the piece picks senior forward Tommy Brenton to be the league's player of the year, and freshman Jameel Warner as the league's top newcomer.

Rubber Factory Worker Houses Get Official Landmark Status

The Brookhaven town council on Thursday unanimously voted to give landmark status to Setauket's three historic rubber factory worker houses. "This long awaited decision will enhance our grant funding opportunities for the next phase of restoring these circa 1880’s houses for adaptive use,” Cynthia Barnes, president of the Three Village Community Trust, said in a statement.

Former Smoke Run Farm on the Market

Built in 1890, this six-bedroom, five-bathroom home at 52 Hollow Road in Stony Brook sits on six acres as the former Smoke Run Farm. Former owners George and Ruth Lukemire said goodbye in March of 2007, according to the Smoke Run Farm website. With agricultural zoning, AOL Real Estate lists a winery or horse farm as possible uses. Price tag: $1,899,000, with a $26,670 tax bill.

Firm Rallies Around East Setauket Man After ALS Diagnosis

Last February, Vinnie Cullen had to make a grim announcement to the employees at his Port Jefferson Station accounting firm, Cullen & Danowski. He told his staff that he’d been diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), a fatal neurological disease. But Cullen is still working in the office and still at Stony Brook University where he is an adjunct professor teaching business classes. Cutting back on work even after his diagnosis was not an option. Inspired by walkathons that members of the firm had been involved with in the past, Karen Wood, Cullen’s executive assistant, started searching around for something that employees could get involved with to support the ALS community in honor of Cullen.

Editor's note: This article has been updated to indicate that Frank Melville Memorial Park and the Three Village Garden Club park are separate entities.